Entries open for shootout
The CareVets Scholarship programme, which boosted the careers of drivers such as Callum Hedge, Ryan Yardley and Brock Gilchrist, is back to give a flying start for one rising star in New Zealand motorsport.
The 2026 CareVets Scholarship annual shootout will be held at Hampton Downs on April 1. It will put the skills of drivers to the test under the scrutiny of experienced engineers and Toyota Gazoo Racing NZ staff.
As in 2025, the driver selected at the end of the day will win the use of a Toyota TR86 for the four rounds of the 2026 Toyota TR86 Trophy Series as well as an experienced mechanic and engineer to make race weekends as productive as possible. The driver will only be responsible for entry, running and repair costs.
Applications for the scholarship open close on March 6. Prospective drivers must provide a photo and CV of their motorsport career to date. All applications will be reviewed in the week of March 9-13 with the final selection invited to take part in the on-track assessment on April 1.
Drivers must be a Kiwi passport holder, 25 or younger and entry will be limited to those who have competed only at grassroots level in codes of the sport such as karting, stock cars, speedway, hill climbing, club rallies or accredited MotorSport NZ series, which include the Mazda, BMW, Formula Ford and Formula First categories.
This year judges are also keen to hear from SIM racers keen to switch from virtual racing to the real thing. Drivers must also hold a relevant current motorsport licence reflecting their participation in grassroots motorsport or be of the age they are able to apply for the relevant motorsport licence.
“The CareVets Scholarship is synonymous with Toyota 86 racing and we are delighted to be able to offer this opportunity, with thanks to Keith Houston,” says category manager Amanda Tollemache.
“The scholarship offers a real pathway for those coming up through the sport, with not just the Trophy Series and the step into the GR86. We’re looking forward to seeing the next exciting batch of names come through, all looking to become NZ’s next world champion.”
Click here to enter. Round one of the 2026 Toyota TR86 Trophy Series is at Hampton Downs from May 16-17.
